Magnitude 6.9 Quake Hits Pacific Coast at Mexico Guatemala Border
A huge 6.9-magnitude earthquake has struck Mexico at the border with Guatemala, shortly after a series of smaller quakes hit the Pacific coast off Chiapas.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said there is no tsunami risk at this stage.
The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the magnitude 6.9 quake was 8km (5 miles) southwest of Tajumulco, Guatemala.
The agency said the tremor struck 111km (69 miles) below the surface.
The quake struck at 1.29am local time in the department of San Marcos, west of the capital Guatemala City, near the Mexican border, but was felt throughout the country, Guatemala’s emergency co-ordination agency said.
One person was injured in San Sebastian Retalhuelu in southern Guatemala when part of a church collapsed, the country’s National Civil Police said.
Volunteer firefighter Julio Sanchez said the man, who was passing by the church when the earthquake struck, was receiving care.
Authorities reported several departments, or states, without electricity.
Across the border in Chiapas, Mexico, governor Manuel Velasco said via Twitter that there were reports of cracked walls and shattered windows in Huixtla, but so far no injuries.
The state’s Civil Protection authorities said the quake was felt throughout the state.
Adam Withnall
Independent uk
